In conjunction with CareerSource Flagler/Volusia, the Palm Coast-Flagler Regional Chamber of Commerce kicked off a three-phase small business program designed to help Flagler County small businesses strengthen and grow. Phase 1 of this program included selecting local business leaders that wanted to engage in a one-year business coaching partnership (at no cost) with the Coastal Entrepreneur and Innovation Institute. Scholarship recipients and a brief overview of the 3-phase program is below:
Phase 1: “Strengthen My Business” scholarship
Phase 2: Small Business Bootcamps (January 2022)
Phase 3: Small Business Saturday (Spring 2022)
Phase 1 Progress – Scholarship Announcement and Recipient Selection & Engagement
Chamber President Greg Blosé and Coastal Entrepreneur and Innovation Institute President Joseph Roy reviewed numerous applications for the scholarship. 13 small businesses were identified as strong candidates. Mr. Roy agreed to accept all 13 candidates at no additional cost, despite only agreeing to originally partner with 10.
The Chamber has notified all 13 Strengthen My Business scholarship recipients, which are listed below:
| Company Name | Contact |
| 2K Ranch | Karla Key |
| Clean Eats Kitchen | Jodee Soltes |
| Cosmic Hippie | Amber Embers |
| Dexters Dog Snacks | Robyn Grobe |
| Flagler Fish Company | Chris & Carolyn Casper |
| Flagler Surf | Carla Cline |
| Funky Fandom Fashion | Cynthia Geiges |
| KEM Ice Cream | Elizabeth Owens |
| Peculiar People Photography | Sarah Roberts |
| Premier Chiropractic | Dr. Erika Equizi |
| Sexual Health Educator | Erica Rivera |
| Smart Guard Shutters | Kaleigh Rickard |
| Whipped | Ariel Veroline |
These businesses will now begin meeting directly with the Coastal Entrepreneur and Innovation Institute for the next year. The Chamber and The Palm Coast Observer will regularly report on their progress. More soon!